Soils enriched with calcium could aid in the reduction of carbon gases through the “stimulation of plants’ natural carbon fixation process” ;

In most soils, that carbon returns to the atmosphere. But in calcium-rich soil, the acid, which contains carbon, reacts with the calcium by forming calcium carbonate deposits around the roots. Isotopic analyses have shown that this carbon-trapping is significant: it could reach 150 kg [330 lbs.] per year per hectare in a field of wheat.

The carbonates in the soil remain stable for very long periods and consequently constitute a virtually permanent geological carbon sink. “They could be used passively, the same way reed beds are used in lagoons to grab heavy metals out of polluted water,” according to David Manning, professor of geology at Newcastle University (United Kingdom).

Source:

• Le Monde Article by: Hervé Kempf, (translated to english)

If that does not work there is always the option of “genetically engineered carbon-eating trees.“

The report the on impact of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge requested by Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, concluded that drilling “is not projected to have a large impact on world oil prices.” The report, prepared by the Energy Information Administration, of the Department of Energy projected that it would probably drop the price of oil by 75 cents a barrel. If drilling were allowed the report estimated the oil would be available in 10 years.

Source: Mcclatchey News Service

Kerry Emanuel, a professor of meteorology at MIT, identifies the two strands of environmental philosophy present in the climate debate:

1. the natural state of the universe is one of infinite stability, with an unchanging earth anchoring the predictable revolutions of the sun, moon, and stars.
2. the natural state of the universe is stable one but has become destabilized through human actions.

Source: Phaeton’s Reins

Russel Seitz laments the lack of true science based opposition from the right to counter the “politicized science” of the left. In its place, conservative media presents talking heads with little credibility beyond adherence to a authority and the latest set of talking points.

Source: Climate of Here

Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute assists corporations in understanding the efficiencies in their facilities and systems in an effort to achieve big, cheap energy savings. But how does the common homeowner understand their home systems? Are their tools to understand which appliances are using the most energy each month? Are their existing tools to understand water usage or understand oil / gas usage? What incentives do the general public have beyond price to conserve?

There are a variety of tools for understanding your carbon footprint according to The Wondershere :

• Global Warming Footprint (US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee)
• Zerofootprint.net
• MyFootPrint.org
• Consumer Consequences (American Public Media)

but the viewpoint here is negative (bad behavior) or promotes action that lacks understandable, measurable outcomes (how do I decide ROI of new .29 u-factor at additional $200 per window vs. lower cost w/ .33 u-factor?) I want solutions that help me maintain a standard of living in a higher cost environment the way a corporate entity wants bottom line operational numbers in a competitive environment.

“First of all, I believe that life on Earth is at an ever increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster such as sudden global warming, nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus, or other dangers. I think the human race has no future if it doesn’t go into space. I therefore want to encourage public interest in space.”